So far this summer, we find ourselves in an unusual period of cooler weather and that makes it hard to imagine that any moment can turn into a summer heat wave. Anyone who remembers trying to deal with last summer’s heat dome knows it’s true! Take care of yourself and your yard by finding (or creating!) some shade during the hottest part of the day and choose the best sunscreen that you can find to protect yourself.

This event is a partnership between Thurston County Public Health’s Common Sense Gardening Program, Thurston County’s Community Planning Team and the Thurston Conservation District. Learn how to care for your yard in ways that help protect your health and the health of your family, pets, and future generations! We’ll discuss the connection between yard care and our drinking water and lakes, rivers, streams, and Puget Sound. We will provide lots of hands on opportunities to learn about weeding tools, native plants, slow-release fertilizers, and so much more!

We can accept soil samples, determine the safest products for pest control and even meet local professionals doing the work! Fill out our healthy homes and gardens pledge and take home a pesticide-free yard sign. Contact johnsoj@co.thurston.wa.us to invite us to your neighborhood’s picnic, summer meet up, or we’ll bring delicious snacks and you invite the neighbors!

Looking for safe, local, water-fun? Check conditions before you go!

Summer is here and that means: fun in the sun, BBQ’s with friends and family, camp outs, sprinkler runs; the good times overflow! What you don’t want to overflow is your septic system.

Your on-site septic system is prepared to handle YOUR daily waste and extra people using it, whether for an afternoon or a week-long family camp out, puts extra stress on the system. One of the best ways to prepare for guests is to have your septic system inspected and pump it, if needed. Regular inspections can find problems when they are small instead of waiting until there is a much bigger issue to deal with. Most septic systems need to be pumped every 3-5 years to keep working as well as possible.

Let guests know when they use the bathroom, kitchen sink, shower, laundry, and any other water-using activities that your home depends on a septic system to process waste and wastewater. Let them know there is no such thing as a flushable wipe. Be sure to scrape grease and food scraps into the garbage or the compost bin, (not the garbage disposal that may be in the sink) and spread out showers and dishwasher loads to keep things draining smoothly.

Cooling off on hot days with an above ground pool or setting up the sprinkler for the kids can be refreshing and fun. While keeping cool, be sure to keep your septic system’s safety in mind. Keep extra water away from the drainfield and keep sprinklers and pools away from the septic system to avoid flooding the system. Protecting your system will keep it working into the future.

Campouts and cookouts are summer fun staples! Never drive or park anything over the components of your septic system. Keep fire away from the drainfield to help your septic system continue working as well as possible. Very heavy objects can crack or crush the pipes in your drainfield and fire can melt those same plastic pipes. Protect your drainfield from any excess weight or heat to keep it working properly.

Keep summer fun safe for you, your friends and family, and your on-site septic system. Spread out water use, properly maintain above ground pools, avoid using your garbage disposal unit, flush only human waste and toilet paper, and have a great summer!

Don’t wait until it’s really hot to figure out how to care for your garden in the heat.

How to Care for a Dormant Lawn

A healthy lawn is resilient and if you choose to allow yours to go from green to brown this summer, remember to:

Q: What is the best way to care for our animals in case it gets really hot again?

A: The best way to help animals in the heat is the same advice we offer for humans; water and shade. Keep pets inside the house if it’s really warm, and keep their water bowls full of fresh, cool water. Wildlife appreciates shallow bowls of fresh, cool water in plant saucers or just small bowls. Add a few rocks and small branches to give access to smaller creatures like butterflies, bees and lizards. Keep dogs out of cars and avoid hot sidewalks and parking lots. A fine mist of cool water from a spray bottle can help keep pets cool and fans are always helpful.

Many of us in the Pacific Northwest don’t have air conditioning in our homes because we don’t need it very often! When it does get hot try these tips for keeping cool: